End of drought both blessing, curse to producers
COLLEGE STATION (AP) - While the persistent rains throughout most of the state have broken the long-standing drought, results have been both a blessing and a curse to farmers and livestock producers, according to Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

MR. AND MRS. COFFEY
Joe E. and Martha Coffey of Lamesa will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 25. For the celebration, the family plans to visit Lake Tahoe, Calif., and Carlsbad, N.M., with their children and grandchildren. They are the parents of Cynthia and Rex Server of Lubbock. Coffey and Martha Riddle married August 25, 1957, at the First Baptist Church in Tahoka. They have two grandchildren.

WILLIAMS - RICH
Dr. and Mrs. Darryl Williams of Santa Fe, NM are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Sarah Elizabeth Williams to Evan Robert Rich both of New York City, NY. Evan is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rich of Westfield, NJ.

MR. AND MRS. BELL
Bruce B. and Ana Maria of Lubbock celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 2 at their home. Bell and Ana Maria Furlong married August 2, 1957, in Laredo.

MARTINEZ - BROWN
Frankie and Jamie Martinez of Lubbock are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Danielle Marie Martinez to Tucker James Brown both of Lubbock. Tucker is the son of James and Emily Brown of Lubbock.

COOPER - CASTLE
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Cooper of Lubbock are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Lindsey Renee Cooper to Joseph Paul Castle both of Lubbock. Joseph is the son of Ms. BJ Castle of Hale Center and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Castle of Winston, Oregon.

MR. AND MRS. MURPHY
E. V. and Jeanie Murphy of Brownfield celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 10. Their children were the hosts of a dinner at Cattleman's Steak House. They are the parents of Jackie Murphy of Sattler; Janet and Bob Powell of Lubbock; and Shelly and Mitch McElroy of Brownfield. Murphy and Jeanie Criswell married June 7, 1957, in Brownfield. They have eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mr. & Mrs. Greg Gillham
Arianne Smith and Greg Gillham were married June 2nd at 6 pm in a garden wedding at Hardeman Theater on the campus of Oklahoma. Chris Rosser officiated the ceremony. A reception followed the wedding in the foyer of Hardeman Theater.

MR. AND MRS. LOWREY
Dick and Nita Lowrey of Lubbock celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 3 at the home of Clark and Jan Wood at C-Bar Ranch in Slaton. The celebration was dinner and fellowship. They are the parents of the late Mike Lowrey; Jimmy and Sara Matthews of Lubbock; Brent and Petie Lowrey of Lubbock; Paul and Pam Gaschen of Lubbock; Ashley and Becky Denton of Ft. Collins, Colo. Lowrey and Juanita Wood married August 3, 1957, at C-Bar Ranch in Slaton. They have 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchilden.

RACKLER - JAMES
Stephanie Rackler and Brandon James were united in marriage at 2 PM August 4, 2007 at First Baptist Church Shallowater with Rev. Mitch Wilson officiating.

Caregivers at Quail Ridge strive to promote joy, open communication
One of the most painful aspects of Alzheimer's is how the disease steals an individual's past. Thoughts of days gone by can't be remembered, so living in the moment and enjoying the present are paramount. And all those present moments should be as joyful, pleasant and comforting as possible, say the staff at Quail Ridge.

Reverse mortgages: growing opportunity for today's seniors
If you're not familiar with reverse mortgages, you should be. Reverse mortgages are becoming a financial solution for many seniors and their adult children. These loans can be a helpful tool in planning for retirement, paying for long term health care, or affording that long- awaited vacation.

Phantom Screens are a better choice vs. conventional screens
Skylights of West Texas has been providing this region with innovative home enhancement products for the past decade; that combined with exceptional customer service has earned them an outstanding reputation among customers and other distributors.

Cottage Village's outdoor surroundings enhance quality of living for residents
When residents move to Cottage Village Senior Living Community, they are aware of the great amenities offered by the staff within the walls of the facility and within the apartments and cottages, but rarely highlighted are the beautiful grounds surrounding the community. Cottage Village has many outdoor areas where residents can safely enjoy the outdoors.

Bond proposals deserve isolation from city politics
IT SEEMS ONLY yesterday that I was sitting behind my desk in the corner office, looking across at a woman who was chiding me about an editorial that had run that very morning. Although her behavior was civil, her mood was less than cordial.

Google's Checkout service in someways better than PayPal
NEW YORK - It's been a year since Google Inc. launched its much-anticipated payment service, and I've been curious whether a company known best for its search engine can deliver a money service as good as industry leader PayPal.

UPS has eyes on future after 100 years
ATLANTA - It started out in 1907 as the brainchild of two teenagers in a Seattle basement, whose fledgling messenger service made deliveries on foot or on bicycle.

Raiders return for workouts
It's here. Just 29 days until the Texas Tech football season opener and four weeks of practice to get there.

Colorado suspends three for brawling
BOULDER, Colo. - The University of Colorado football team has suspended three players after allegations of brawling, said sports information director Dave Plati.

Hokies hope to aid in community's recovery
BLACKSBURG, Va. - The reminders of the April 16 shootings at Virginia Tech are still plentiful around town, and around the football program. The names of 32 victims are printed in the team's media guide, and game jerseys feature a memorial patch.

Healthy Lubbock team on right track
ARE YOU AWARE OF the Healthy Lubbock Initiative? If not, you are going to be more than pleasantly surprised. The organization's advancement since its launch in 2005 was much in evidence recently during Healthy Lubbock Day. But that's only the beginning.

Video game of the Week
PlayStation 3 owners finally get some thumb-splitting action with an exclusive game in the "Ninja Gaiden" series. But not all is what it seems with "Ninja Gaiden Sigma."

No dinosaur, ZZ Top brings energy, experience to USA
Sure as the dickens, there's always going to be some young rocker around the corner who, noting that the tres hombres have been recording for more than 35 years, wants to file ZZ Top away under the heading of dinosaur rock.

Get Hooked
AUSTIN (AP) - Here is the weekly fishing report as compiled for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for Aug. 1.

Volleyball officials training scheduled
The Area Volleyball Official Association of the Texas Association of Sports Officials will conduct officials training for current and past volleyball officials as well as new people interested in officiating matches.

Animal shelter, other agencies help center with wildlife casualties
The South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has long partnered with other agencies to provide appropriate care for wild animals in need. For almost 20 years, various federal, state and city vehicles have driven to the center to deliver wildlife casualties to our facility. The common denominator is that most people try to do the right thing in seeking care for the wild animals that share our space.

Lady Mustangs look to improve
The Lady Mustangs returned to the playoffs in 2006, but Chad Jones' first season as head coach left plenty to be desired. Coronado won only half of its District 2-5A matches, finished with a 13-20 record and the team failed to reach the regional quarterfinals for the first time in seven years.

Whitney Peyton is no cookie-cutter rapper
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - In the pre-fab music environment of "American Idol" and "The Search For The Next Pussycat Doll," it seems that cleaving to a gimmick is required for a successful career.

'Daily Show' lines up four candidates
NEW YORK (AP) - Four presidential candidates are lined up to visit Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" over the next three weeks as Comedy Central's satirical news review ramps up its "Indecision 2008" coverage.

Construction work crucial to probe in Minn. bridge collapse
MINNEAPOLIS - Heavy trucks, loaders and paving equipment from Progressive Contractors Inc. had been on part of the Interstate 35W bridge since June, and workers with jackhammers had been pounding away at its deteriorated sections of concrete pavement.

Search for bridge collapse victims stalled
MINNEAPOLIS - A drizzle made the Mississippi River nearly opaque Saturday at the scene of an interstate bridge collapse, hampering recovery efforts already made especially hazardous by jagged metal and cliffs of broken concrete.

Today in history
Fifty years ago, on Aug. 5, 1957, the teenage dance show "American Bandstand," hosted by Dick Clark, made its network debut on ABC-TV.

Bush pledges to help ease rebuilding effort
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - President Bush surveyed Minneapolis' collapsed highway bridge from the ground and air Saturday, viewing the concrete slabs and twisted steel that once spanned the Mississippi River. He pledged to help cut the red tape to reconstruct the span.

Thieves take historic mantelpieces
RAMAPO, N.Y. (AP) - The thieves who kicked in the door of an empty house last month weren't after any ordinary valuables - they wanted the 19th-century home's decorative wooden mantelpieces.

Today in history
On Aug. 6, 1945, during World War II, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, resulting in an estimated 140,000 deaths in the first use of a nuclear weapon in warfare.

Alma Morris
Alma Morris, 85, of Lubbock (formerly of Levelland) went to be with the Lord Aug. 5, 2007. Her last days were spent with family by her side. Services will be Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, 2 p.m. at LakeRidge Baptist Church of Lubbock with Rev Merle Fulmer officiating. Burial will be in the City of Levelland Cemetery under the direction of George Price Funeral Directors.

Breland Daniel Jones
Breland Daniel Jones known as (Casey), loving Son, Brother, Husband, Father, and Papa went to be with his Lord, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007. He was born Nov. 11, 1921, in Meridian, Miss. to Samuel Robert and Florence Alice Jones. Breland grew up and attended local schools in Laurel, MS. He served his country as a Rifleman and Military Policeman during World War II.

B.J. Williams
B.J. Williams, 78 years old, died peacefully in his sleep at 2:45 a.m. Friday morning. He had been battling a severe Staph infection for several months.

Wilma Shelton
Wilma Shelton, 79, of Childress, Texas died Friday, Aug. 3, 2007 in Lubbock. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Chad King and Rev. Kerry Wood officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007 from 6-8 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Childress.

Ernesto Yepez Trevino
Rosary for Ernesto Yepez Trevino, Sr., 63, of Ralls will be held at 7 p.m. today at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Ralls. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 at the same church with Deacon Benny Brito officiating. Burial will follow in the Ralls Cemetery under direction of Adams Funeral Home of Ralls.

Nell O'Rear
Celebration of Life memorial services for Nell O'Rear, 87, of Lorenzo will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 at the Lorenzo First Baptist Church with Dr. Jerry Golden, Rev. Dennis Williams and Rev. Wes Collins officiating.

Edrie Elouise "Bitsy" Martin
Services for Edrie Elouise "Bitsy" Martin, 88, of Brownfield will be 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 at Brownfield Church of Christ with Bob Reynolds and John Snider officiating. Interment will be in Terry County Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home.

Nellie Estell Hill
Services for Nellie Estell Hill, 99, of Brownfield will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 at Brownfield First Baptist Chapel with Ernest Smith officiating. Burial will be in Terry Co. Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home.

Stephanie Dorsett Trammell
Stephanie Dorsett Trammell, 61, passed away in Dallas Wednesday, August 1 following a long battle with Crohn's disease and liver failure. A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, August 6 at 1:30 p.m. at The Chapel of the Cross, 4333 Cole Avenue, Dallas, TX 75205. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to American Liver Foundation or Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

Geneva Burke Stansell
Funeral services for Geneva Burke Stansell, age 73, of Floydada, will be Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 at Main Street Church of Christ in Lockney, at 2 p.m. with Minister Jerry Klein officiating and Bill Sherman assisting. Burial will be in Floydada Cemetery under direction of Moore Rose Funeral Home.

Bill Baldwin
Bill Baldwin, age 71, of Lubbock, passed away Friday, Aug. 3, 2007 at his residence. Mr. Baldwin was born Sept. 10, 1935 to Joseph William Baldwin and Irene Annie (Hayes) Baldwin in Detroit, Michigan. He moved to Roswell, NM in 1955 from Detroit with the Military where served in the Air Force at Walker Air Force Base. Bill moved to Lubbock in 1979 and was employed by KAMC and KCBD as a television camera operator. Mr. Baldwin retired after 15 years as a Photo Journalist for the Lubbock Independent School District. He had a strong association with the Alcoholics Anonymous where he was a member for 30 years. He also served on the SOS at 40th and A, and on the Recovery Center Board, for many years. He loved his Detroit Tigers and his family dearly. Fishing was a hobby he enjoyed with his son. Bill loved his work with LISD and his co-workers. He will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Ochoa reigns in Britain
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland - Lorena Ochoa won her first major title Sunday with a four-stroke victory at the Women's British Open - the first women's professional tournament played at venerable St. Andrews.

New Steelers coach Tomlin makes debut
CANTON, Ohio - Chuck Noll won four Super Bowls in six seasons and wound up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bill Cowher kept the success going in Pittsburgh, won an NFL title 18 months ago, and might soon join Noll in the hall.

Busch ends drought, moves into Chase
LONG POND, Pa. - Kurt Busch's winless drought is over. His absence from the Chase may not last much longer, either, not with the way crew chief Pat Tryson is calling all the right shots.

A-Rod, Bonds share big day
NEW YORK - Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds will always have a milestone day in common, and the New York Yankees star has no problem with sharing the spotlight with the San Francisco Giants slugger.

Simnacher, Rawls take lead in Par Buster
Brad Simnacher won a couple of Lubbock Country Club club championships and a Men's City title in the 1990s, but he hasn't seriously threatened in a city major in four years.

Agent: Davydenko not involved in bets
WARSAW, Poland - Nikolay Davydenko "has nothing whatsoever to do" with the suspicious betting patterns on his second-round match at the Prokom Open, the player's agent said.

Members keep Par Buster title at Lubbock CC
With six birdies on Saturday and five birdies on Sunday, Randy Rawls did a lot of the lead building required to win a golf tournament. His playing partner, Brad Simnacher, did a lot of the lead protecting.

Court allows civil trial in nurse's death
AUSTIN (AP) - The state's highest court refused to stop a civil trial in a lawsuit filed against Christus Spohn Health System by the family of a nurse who was abducted from a hospital parking lot and killed.

DPS responds to foreign nationals obtaining fake Texas driver's licenses
DALLAS (AP) - After about 400 foreign nationals - most of them Middle Eastern, half living illegally in the United States - took advantage of a loophole in Texas driver's license requirements from 2003 to 2005, it took the Texas Department of Public Safety more than a year to cancel the licenses, a newspaper reports.

U.S.: Troops kill golden dome bomber
BAGHDAD (AP) - U.S. troops killed the al-Qaida in Iraq mastermind of the bombing that destroyed the golden dome of a famed sacred Shiite shrine last year and set in motion an unrelenting cycle of sectarian bloodletting, the military said Sunday.

Record poppy crop in Afghanistan; U.S. drug-control efforts bog down
As President Bush prepares for weekend talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, divisions within the U.S. administration and among NATO allies have delayed release of a $475 million counternarcotics program for Afghanistan, where intelligence officials see growing links between drugs and the Taliban, the officials said.